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August 20, 2008 4:32:08 PM CDT

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FEMA Buried Dangers of Katrina Trailers, Reps Charge

Posted Jan 30, 08 1:54 PM CST in US 

(Newser) – Democrats on a House committee say the Federal Emergency Management Agency ignored good science in using travel trailers with dangerously high levels of formaldehyde as long-term housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina, CNN reports, adding that FEMA suppressed a report on formaldehyde risks. The emergency agency calls yesterday's accusations "unfounded and false" and "contrary to our mission."

About 40,000 families still live in the travel trailers; 150,000 households have occupied them for some time period since the 2005 hurricane. Medical experts believe formaldehyde, a preservative used in construction materials, to cause ailments from respiratory problems to cancer. The trailers were deemed safe for a few weeks' stay; but some people have been living in them for 18 months.

Source CNN

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Dr. Howard Frumkin, director of the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health, holds up informational fliers regarding the CDC's formaldehyde testing in trailers in Louisiana,...   (Associated Press)
Renaissance Village resident Chris Waller, 18, rides his bike as he waits for the bus for a ride to work Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the FEMA trailer site in Baker, La. Residents at the trailer park...   (Associated Press)
Renaissance Village resident Deronte Jones, 7, makes his way to the basketball court Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the Federal Emergency Management Agency's trailer site in Baker, La. Residents at the...   (Associated Press)
Renaissance Village trailer park resident Wilbert Ross walks from his FEMA trailer to the community area Friday, July 20, 2007, in Baker, La. Ross says FEMA did not respond to questions about the possibility...   (Associated Press)
FEMA Administrator David Paulison, left, accompanied by Dr. Howard Frumkin, director of the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health, gestures during a news conference...   (Associated Press)
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Hurricane Katrina  • Louisiana  • FEMA  • FEMA trailers  • formaldehyde  • trailers


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